Khamenei's massive funerals test the Islamic Republic

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Before the sun beat down strongly on Tehran, thousands of people already occupied the surroundings of the Mosalla mosque. They wore black, held up portraits of the supreme leader and Iranian flags, and advanced in a slow choreography that turned the space into a state-sponsored stage. The authorities have prepared one of the largest funeral arrangements in the country's recent history, with official estimates speaking of between 15 and 30 million participants over the six days of ceremonies. In addition to Tehran, celebrations will extend to several key cities in the country and the Shiite space, and he will finally be buried at the shrine of Imam Reza, in Mashhad, the man who for 36 years concentrated the highest authority of the Islamic Republic, until he was killed on the first day of the joint attack by Israel and the United States, on February 28.